I can’t walk on any longer and slump against a tree. I check my side again. The wound is almost healed and the skin more grey then black. My stomach aches from blood loss and my throat is raw. The sun has started to set and everything is much quieter. My school clothes are torn beyond repair. I’d been ‘missing’ for about a day. A rabbit hops by within reach but I’m too slow to catch it. I tilt my head back and close my eyes.
The sun is just beginning to show when I open my eyes. My mouth is dry and my throat is even worse. I barely have the strength to stand but somehow I manage it. I use the trees for support and move slowly. I dog walker goes past on the footpath. I have to stop myself from going after him. I go further from the path and find a small den like area to shelter from the sun.
After sleeping again I wake up as the sun is going down. I sit up and look around. Checking my side again the only reminder of the injury is the hunger and blood staining my clothes. I try to stand but it is almost impossible. Leaning back I look around at my surroundings. I will have to feed soon. My stomach hungers for blood and I can’t risk crying.
Leaves crunch behind me but there’s nothing I can do. I hadn’t realised that my fangs were still extended. Not that I could do anything. A human woman comes into view. She has light brown hair but I cannot see her eyes. Her clothes are a mix between formal and casual. A red blouse and leggings. I go vampire still but the minute I smell her I have to dig my fingers into the tree behind me to stop myself giving away my spot.
Despite all I can do the woman finds my spot. I press myself up against the tree. ‘It’s ok I know what you are.’ I shuffle back further. I clamp one hand over my mouth. ‘You’re younger than the others.’ I nod. I look up at her not removing my hand. When she catches my eye she gasps. ‘You’re not well are you?’ I shake my head as she spies the blood on my clothing. She digs into a small bag I didn’t realise she was carrying. She brings out a bottle. She hands it to me and I drink it in seconds. I’m still hungry but it’s better than before. She sticks out a hand to help me up. I shake my head and stand up on my own. ‘Thank you. I don’t suppose.’ She cuts me off by shaking her head. Then she offers me her neck. She goes onto her knees with her head tilted to the side. ‘You sure?’ she nods moving her hair out the way. I step forward licking my teeth. I bite into her neck and drink my fill. I pull out and help her to stand.
She probes her neck but finds no marks. ‘Thank you.’ I say looking down. ‘You don’t go round offering your neck to every vampire do you?’ I say slightly worried. she shakes her head letting out a small laugh. ‘No I don’t.’ she says softly. ‘We need to get you someplace safe.’ She says to me. I look at her. ‘I can take care of myself.’ She shakes her head. ‘At least let me get you new clothes.’ She pleads. ‘You do realise you’re inviting a vampire round to your house. ‘She pauses a minute. ‘Yes but I feel I can trust you.’ I look away when she says that. ‘What day is it?’ she laughs again. ‘Sunday. How long have you been out here?’ Sunday? ‘Well I was with Sierra Friday. Then in a cell yesterday. I’ve been out here since.’ She blinks rapidly. ‘Firstly you were with Princess Sierra. Secondly why were you in a Cell? And thirdly why are you out here looking like that.’ I look down at my clothes. ‘It’s kind of a long story.’ We get into the outer ring of town and I sink into the shadows. ‘Um child. You there?’ says the woman. ‘Yeah but my names Cameron.’ The woman sighs then stops me. ‘This is my apartment.’
The woman comes back into the room carrying a mug of coffee and a bottle identical to the one in the forest. I open it taking small sips. ‘So Cameron what’s your story?’ she takes a small sip of her coffee. ‘Ok well I was coming out of school. Cole a teenaged werewolf was bugging me. A pack has just arrived in town. Sierra had sent a letter telling them to move on. Anyway Cole said that they refused to leave. We went straight to Sierra. Me Jane and Cole. We told her the news. When we went to leave Sierra asked me to stay. We talked then she offered me another drink. I said I prefer it from the source. So she asked me to show her how to hunt. We went out. Once she found a couple we began to drink. Once I had drunk a little I stopped but Sierra couldn’t. I couldn’t let her become one of the tainted. So I found a chair leg and staked her.’ I pause to let it sink in and she gasps. ‘Where was I. I was taking her back to the court but she couldn’t make it. We were on a bench. I was feeding her. then a human were came out. I stood and protected her. Another were came out a female this time. Then shifted were’s came. The male nonshifted came forward. That was his first mistake. The second was holding his hand out. I held him captive. Soon the guards came. The man I had was the bargain. Then hunters came out. But even after a warning the female moved forward. I bit the were then snapped his neck. The hunters and were’s attacked us. The female shifted and attacked me. After a struggle I killed her. we were about to leave when they stopped me. They put me under arrest for staking Sierra. I was put in a cell. The next morning they came to my cell. Sierra came in. after a while we hugged. Next thing I know I’m being held by a guard a silver stake in my side. The guard let go. I fell to the floor pulled the stake out. Then ran. The blood is from the stake wound then the other stuff is from the fight.’
I take a long sip from my bottle. ‘Wow. Werewolves and hunters together. I’ve never heard of them teaming up.’ The woman says looking at me her eyes a little more aware. ‘Speaking of you. Who are you?’ I look at her. ‘Oh sorry I’m Riley Star.’ I look around the apartment. There are very few pieces of furniture and most surfaces are topped with ornaments. ‘What do you do here and how do you know so much about us?’ Riley sighs. ‘I’m a Peacekeeper. I clean up after you vampires. Most vampire towns have one or two assigned. Though we work on our own and don’t interact with other Peacekeepers once we graduate.’ I take this in. ‘But your human?’ she nods and finishes her coffee. She nods to my bottle. ‘Want another?’ I look at the bottle. ‘No thanks I need to go hunt.’ She nods then adds. ‘Do you want to stay here tonight?’ I stand up. ‘Ok but I should get some clothes from my house.’ She nods again then stands up herself. I walk over to the door. ‘If I’m not back within an hour then they’ve caught me.’ I say before stepping out.
